According to reports, filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari has approached Ranbir Kapoor to play Lord Ram in his next directorial venture, Ramayana. Rumours were doing the rounds lately that Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu was the original choice for the same role, but he turned down the offer.
An entertainment portal quotes a source as saying, “Nitesh Tiwari is looking for the best-in-class actor who can completely devote himself to the character of Ram, and he believes Ranbir Kapoor perfectly fits the bill as he has that charming presence Nitesh is specifically seeking for in an actor.”
The source goes on to add that Ranbir Kapoor is psyched up about receiving the offer and is waiting for the full narration before taking the final call. “Ranbir is thrilled about this offer and will take a call after the full narration. He hasn’t given his nod yet, however, it’s very likely that he would okay the project,” the source signs off.
If reports are to be believed, Hrithik Roshan has been roped in to play the character of Raavan in the film. The search for the leading lady is still on. If all goes well, the magnum-opus will begin filming in mid-2022.
Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor is waiting for the release of his much-awaited film Shamshera. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the dacoit drama also features Sanjay Dutt and Vaani Kapoor in lead characters.
The actor also stars in Dharma Productions’ fantasy adventure drama Brahmastra alongside Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, and Mouni Roy. Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji is helming the three-part project.
Kapoor will also play the main lead in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s next directorial, Animal. The psychological thriller also has Parineeti Chopra, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol in principal roles. The actor recently resumed filming Luv Ranjan’s next with Shraddha Kapoor.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.